MICK Wadsworth is tipping Uruguayan new boy Fabian Yantorno to inject the X-factor into his Chester City side.

The 26-year-old attacking midfielder jetted into the country last night to thrash out a deal with City officials.

Wadsworth knows all about Yantorno’s talents having managed him at Gretna during their ill-fated one-season stay in the Scottish Premier League.

And the new Blues boss reckons it won’t be long before his name is on the lips of Blue Square Premier fans up and down the country.

“This is going to be a major signing for us and he will be a huge crowd favourite,” said Wadsworth, who is also closing in on the capture of former Manchester United defender Michael Lea.

“Fabian’s a wonderful talent and I’ve got no doubts he will be a major player in this league.

“He’s an attacking midfielder and essentially a second striker. He can score goals, he can create goals and he’s a really marvellous dead-ball kicker. But he’s tough as well – Uruguayans are a tough nation – and he’s got the ability to deal with the physical side.

“I remember Rangers and Celtic really going for him, but he could handle it and he played outstandingly well against both those teams.

“I can’t speak highly enough of his ability and that’s why I really want to get him.”

Montevideo-born Yantorno suffered a serious knee injury towards the end of the 2007-08 campaign, which Wadsworth believes cost him a move to one of the Glasgow giants.

Although still sidelined, Hibernian signed the former Uruguay Under 21s international last summer after Gretna folded. Yantorno failed to make an impression at Easter Road, however, and he is a free agent.

Yantorno, who has turned down the chance to play in the Mexican top flight to return to the UK, should today become Wadsworth’s sixth signing since taking over the Deva Stadium reins last week.

And if Wadsworth has his way, 21-year-old Lea will become number seven.

“Michael started at Manchester United, played 20 games for their feeder club in Belgium, Royal Antwerp, and was with Scunthorpe United last season,” said Wadsworth.

“I’ve known since he was a youngster at United and I like him a lot.

“He can play in midfield and anywhere across the back. He’s trained with us this week and he’s done really, really well.”

Wadsworth is also looking for a goalkeeper to act as back-up to number one John Danby, who has signed a new two-year contract.